Orange County NC Website
51 <br /> 1 Erin Mullaney said she is buying a home in Hillsborough in 2021, and hopes to raise her <br /> 2 family and retire there. She said she is a foster parent, and is opposed to the Buc-ee's project, <br /> 3 especially due to the potential negative effects on the local water source. She said this project <br /> 4 seems an example of valuing a dollar over residents' health. She said environmental studies <br /> 5 have not been conducted, and urged the Board to look closely and do extensive study on the <br /> 6 impacts prior to approving anything. <br /> 7 Scott Buechler said he lives in the area of the proposed Buc-ee's site, and he is opposed <br /> 8 to its development. He said he understands that development is necessary, but it must be done <br /> 9 in a way that protects the environment and community character. He said the Buc-ee's site is in <br /> 10 violation of the Efland community, and would be a step backward. He said a business based on <br /> 11 fossil fuels is not looking to the future. He said Buc-ee's may pay higher than the average <br /> 12 wage, but it will offer dead end jobs with little satisfaction. He urged the Board to deny the <br /> 13 proposal. <br /> 14 Lydia Pepin said she was born and raised in Efland, and is opposed to the proposed <br /> 15 Buc-ee's development. She said economic development is needed, but the Buc-ee's is not the <br /> 16 best option. She said the world is moving away from fossil fuels, and no one will want to move <br /> 17 to the area and live near a massive gas station. She said there will be increased traffic for all <br /> 18 residents, and she is greatly concerned about the negative environmental impacts. She urged <br /> 19 the Board to vote no. <br /> 20 <br /> 21 A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Fowler to <br /> 22 recess the public hearing and continue it to January 5, 2021. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 Commissioner Greene said there are many people with environmental concerns about <br /> 25 this project, and the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> 26 has looked at this project quite closely. She suggested sending the project to the Commission <br /> 27 for the Environment (CfE), for its input, prior to the January 19, 2021 BOCC Business Meeting. <br /> 28 She said this would allow another set of eyes to be on the project. <br /> 29 Chair Price asked if the CfE will be meeting prior to January 19. <br /> 30 Bonnie Hammersley said yes, the CfE is meeting on January 11, and staff has already <br /> 31 asked the CfE to review the plans for this development at that time. She said the CfE will have <br /> 32 comments ready for the Board's January 19 meeting. <br /> 33 <br /> 34 Roll call ensued <br /> 35 <br /> 36 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 37 <br /> 38 Chair Price said the remaining public speakers will be divided over the meetings on <br /> 39 January 5 and 12, and asked staff to notify the speakers of the date to which they are assigned. <br /> 40 <br /> 41 6. Regular Agenda <br /> 42 None <br /> 43 <br /> 44 7. Reports <br /> 45 None <br /> 46 <br /> 47 8. Consent Agenda <br /> 48 <br /> 49 Removal of Any Items from Consent Agenda <br /> 50 None <br />